I Love Cards!

This is an easy, quick and super cheap idea to get those cards you love from the ones you love out of that drawer and displayed for you to enjoy. My husband always gets the most amazing cards and searches all over for unique ones and always writes something so beautiful it makes my heart melt. These on the line are some from him. They are above my dresser on my side of the bed. The others are from him and my kids stuck in an old sign about family. I love the way it looks and I love to look at them and they are all dated too by the way! I used pretty clear blue tacks to hold the line up and twine and mini clothespins from Walmart. You can make one anywhere for art projects, cards or pictures in any room!

Oh My!!!!!

I am so beyond excited! In my last post, I wrote about Robin Jones Gunn, my favorite author. She sends out a newsletter every month called Robin's Nest, you can sign up for it at robinjonesgunn.com. She posted about a contest she was having to give away 15 copies of her newest book from the Sisterchicks series; Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes. The rules were to post a blog promoting her book on your online site or blog and send her the link. I posted the blog here and on Facebook. She sent me an email yesterday already and told me I was one of the 15 chosen! She is going to mail me her book and AUTOGRAPH it. Are you kidding? Yeah, I screamed. Jumped around. Screamed. I'm shocked and thrilled to say the very least! Whohooooo!

Robin Jones Gunn

WELL THOSE WHO KNOW ME WELL KNOW I READ A BOOK A DAY AND AM CONSTANLY THIRSTY FOR MORE! I LOVE ALL CHRISTIAN FICTION AND NON FICTION BUT MY FAVORITE, AGAIN, NO SECRET, IS ROBIN. I HAVE BEEN READING HER SINCE I WAS 12 AND WILL ONE DAY OWN ALL HER BOOKS! SHE IS BY FAR THE BEST AT DESCRIPTIVE WRITING, TAKING THE READER THROUGH A TRANSFORMATION, BONDING WITH CHARACTERS AND PULLING YOU INTO THEIR LIVES BY HER WORDS SO BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN. SO I AM VERY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF HER NEWEST BOOK, FROM THE SISTERCHICKS SERIES, Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes! "Summer and Noelle, two pen pals since 4th grade, meet for the first time in the land of tulips and windmills. An abnormal mammogram sends Summer on a quest to fulfill her lifelong wish before she begins the same struggle her mother fought against breast cancer. The story of these two Sisterchicks is brimming with hope and cheer and will bring encouragement for any woman who has faced a fearful future."

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I CANNOT WAIT TO WARM MY HANDS WITH A CUP OF TEA AND SETTLE IN FOR THIS NEXT ADVENTURE WITH ROBIN, AND OUR CHERISHED SISTERCHICKS! CELEBRATE THE PRICELESS GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP WITH AN OPEN HEART AND AN OPEN BOOK!

Ten Reasons...

I just got this in an email newsletter from The Old Schoolhouse magazine and I thought I'd share with my fellow homeschooling sisters!! Read until the end for a brief message from me...

1)God called us to homeschool our children, and He'll provide the strength we need.
2)The curriculum in public schools is not from a Christian worldview.
3)I don't want my children exposed to sin, bullying, popularity contests, and other fun "socialization" on a daily basis.
4)Homeschooling lets my children be who they are and grow strong in their beliefs before entering the hostile environment of "the world."
5)Homeschooling allows my children to learn their difficult subjects in an environment free from ridicule.
6)Homeschooling allows my children to wiggle, take a break, or change subjects whenever they need to restore their focus.
7)Homeschooling saves me time and money, not having to participate in all the public school fund-raisers and activities.
8)Homeschooling builds family unity, family culture, and family memories.
9)Public school children keep telling my kids that they wish they were homeschooled ... so why would we send ours to public school?
10)Homeschooling teaches my children to love and serve others as they work together each day and learn to get along with each other

These are someone else reasons, but I thought they were pretty good. I can agree and add my own also. Like with anything, there are pros and cons to both schooling and homeschooling. It's a family decision and God may ask you to send your little lights to school. Everything is part of His plan. My nieces are not homeschooled and they are kind to their friends and good examples and good students. They love school and sharing God's love when appropriate. You never know who God can and will use. Be open to anything and pray pray pray. I believe every decision should only advance into action after prayer. He will light the way and guide your heart.

1083 Crosses & A Church Called Home

Mia (4) Dominique (8) They are peanut butter and jelly those two! What a sweet girl with a heart of compassion, loves her Lord and prays with earnest, Polite and respectful and kind, she is a sweet wonderful friend and influence! Mia adores her and it is fully returned! She's so blessed to have friends of differant ages!
Elijah (6) and Elijah (1 1/2) Two buddies! They pal around together and like so many of the same things, and get along well but Elijah has a soft spot for Mia and says he likes her, calling her name and following her around and gently teasing her! He reads to her and shares all his toys!

I'm so proud of our youth and preteens. We have such an amazing group of dedicated young people in our church with such kind willing hearts to serve Him and live for Him. Last weekend, the senior high group took part in the 30 hour famine, staying together to pray and fast and grow in His faith and knowledge. They raised (not sure of the exact amount) money to contribute to an effort to end hunger for young children around the world. They are a remarkable people. During this fast, they painted 1083 crosses. The number 1083 represents how many children die every hour all over the world due to poverty or poverty related illnesses. They went around the parking lot during sunday school and church and put 1 cross on every single car til they were all gone. Then at the altar call, they all went forward as a collective group with Brother Woodward leading them and bowed down and prayed for every single car and the family inside it. When I saw that cross and held it in my hands and saw the note they left us I cried. How absolutely amazing!

From the nursery to the college and career and beyond, we have such dedicated servants devoting time, and sacrificing much to give to [our home], our church. Our programs reach out in the community in unique ways. We are Bibically sound and doctrinaly based with traditional values and a reverant respect for the Lord, His Living Word and His will. Unashamedly Pastor Emerson preaches the Truth and guides his flock and our church raises up leaders, missionaries, workers, pastors, servants, teachers; in many ways His love and peace and salvation is carried on from generation to generation and beyond. We have baptisms every month. Last month alone, Brother Berubie baptised 9! Truly the Spirit lives and moves among us! Feeling His presence every week while we sing with open hearts toward our Creator, and hearing not Pastor's words, but His, we are blessed tremendously and thirsty for more! Pastor will receive next month an award, the only one ever given of this kind for being an upright man of God. There will be an award ceremony at BBC to honor this man who has given his life for His Father and His Father's calling, which is his ministry. Other than our own home, in our church with our family we feel home, and hope to be used for whatever He may need in the coming years as our children and we grow as individuals and as a family. Our church is warm, for a church this size we know each other by name and we are a community. Anyone is welcome to come as you are and will be received with love and generosity. For more information on our church please visit osbc.org. If not this church, find one you can call home, one you are happy in, feel called to, and give your heart and life to your Heavenly Father who awaits you! There are many good churches out there, if you are searching, you will find what you are looking for and you will be fulfilled! Peace be with you, and many blessings on your life!

Easter Concert Pictures

Sorry! It has definately been awhile since I've blogged, I've been super busy! To tell you the truth, When I do come on the computer I am on Facebook. How have you all been? We are awesome! Easter was fantastic, His presence was felt and the Spirit was moving! The concert on that Friday night was indescribable! It was my first, and some of my friend's firsts as well. Several people came forward to accept Christ in their hearts and several wrote to John praising the night's music, the dedication, the performance. The most amazing part for me, and I know it was John's favorite too was the end when we all came down on the stairs and sang the Marvelous light medly with Shine Your Light. Everyone young and old, all over the building held up their lights together in the darkness. It was exhilerating! We are blessed to be used for His glory, for His purpose, and for one mission. We share our hope and joy from our hearts to yours. Thank you for all who attended. I hope you were touched and blessed greatly.

THE WONDER OF THE CROSS EASTER CONCERT

I AM SO VERY EXCITED FOR OUR EASTER CONCERT! I HAVE ONLY BEEN IN THE CHOIR FOR A FEW MONTHS AND SING EVERY SUNDAY BUT I AM SO EXCITED I CAN'T HARDLY STAND IT! IT IS NOW 8 DAYS AWAY! WE HAVE BEEN PRACTICING, MEDITATING ON HIS WORD, MEMORIZING, SPENDING LOTS OF TIME TOGETHER, PRAYING, SINGING AND WORSHIPPING, ASKING HIS BLESSING ON THE PRODUCTION WE WILL PERFORM FOR HIM, AND HIS GLORY BE SEEN. I EVEN WROTE TO KLOVE AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD PUT OUR CHURCH AND THIS EVENT ON THEIR WEBSITE AND THEY ACCEPTED AND WILL ALSO ADVERTISE IT ON THE RADIO! LAST YEAR WE HAD OVER 1200 PEOPLE PRESENT WHO WERE HOPEFULLY BLESSED AND TOUCHED BY WHAT THEY SAW AND HEARD. THIS YEAR WE HOPE AND PRAY OUR VOICES BLEND AS ONE TO BRING THIS AWESOME MESSAGE OF TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH, SORROW, GRACE, MERCY, FORGIVENESS, JOY, PROMISES AND PEACE. IT WILL BE TOLD THROUGH NARRATION, SPECIAL EFFECTS, SEVERAL SOLOISTS AND SONG. CONSIDER JOINING US AND SEE AND HEAR THE STORY OF CHRIST'S DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION IN A WAY YOU HAVE NEVER BEFORE. HAPPY EASTER TO YOUR FAMILY AND REMEMBER THE REASON WHY WE CELEBRATE THIS DAY. PREPARE YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS ON FRIDAY TO REFLECT WITH A REVERANT, GRATEFUL HEART FOR A LOVE SO GREAT. REMEMBER..... ONCE YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE MASTER, HOW COULD YOU EVER FORGET?